US Deploys Marines to Middle East Amid War Against Iran

New York City (ANTARA) - The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday (28/3) that a task force consisting of 3,500 marines and sailors arrived in the Middle East on Friday (27/3).

“US sailors and marines aboard the USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrived in the US Central Command area of responsibility on 27 March,” CENTCOM stated in a brief post on the social media platform X.

The American-class amphibious assault ship serves as the flagship for the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group (Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group) or the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), comprising around 3,500 sailors and marines, as well as transport aircraft, attack fighter aircraft, and tactical and amphibious assault assets, according to the CENTCOM post.

This arrival is part of a broader US military force enhancement in connection with the ongoing war with Iran.

Amphibious forces have the capability to launch sea-based attacks as well as land operations, the online news portal ynetnews.com reported on Saturday (28/3), adding that such units are typically used for rapid deployments, including securing strategic locations, evacuations, or potential attacks on coastal targets.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday (26/3) that the Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to provide US President Donald Trump with more military options beyond the diplomatic route.

These forces, which would likely include infantry and armoured vehicles, would join around 5,000 marines and thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division that have already been deployed to the region, according to the report citing US Department of War officials.

It is unclear exactly where these forces will be stationed in the Middle East, but they are expected to be within range to strike Iran and Kharg Island, which is an important oil export hub, the report added.